Standardized Test Requirements

Standardized Test Requirements & Policies

Applicants are required to submit all official results of either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with Writing and SAT Subject Tests. While we're interested in the general pattern of your scores, we give most weight to the highest score you've received on any of the exams.

We’ve outlined our standardized test requirements, as well as our policies regarding placement or credit for college-level work below.

SAT Reasoning Test, ACT with Writing, SAT Subject Tests

Carnegie Mellon requires either the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing from every applicant. We also require Subject Tests from most applicants (taken junior or senior year)—please see our Subject Test requirements by college/school. Please plan on taking these tests no later than December of your senior year.

CIT: Carnegie Institute of Technology (College of Engineering)

Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics or Chemistry

CFA: College of Fine Arts

School of ArchitectureTwo SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics or Chemistry

School of Art, School of Design, School of Drama, School of Music
No subject tests are required

DC: Dietrich College of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
One additional test*

IS: Information Systems

Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
One additional test*

MCS: Mellon College of Science

Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics, Chemistry or Biology

SCS: School of Computer Science

Tepper School of Business

Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Any second test but preferably a science*

*If your native language is not English, a Subject Test in your native language (like Korean or French Language) does not meet our requirements.

TOEFL/IELTS

We require the TOEFL or IELTS from all non-English speakers. We require a TOEFL score of 102 or better or an IELTS score of 7.5 and above. Please plan on taking the TOEFL or IELTS no later than December of your senior year.

Make sure that the name you use for test registration is identical to your name listed on your passport and in your admissions application.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Carnegie Mellon also recognizes the International Baccalaureate Examinations. We may grant advanced standing and/or credit in various fields for scores of six or seven on the higher level exams. Send the results of the IB exams to the Office of Admission in early summer and the appropriate academic dean will evaluate your scores and let you know if credit was awarded. View the AP and IB exams with the corresponding scores and credit usually awarded.

College courses in high school

We may grant placement or credit for college work you’ve completed in high school. Have your college transcript(s) sent to the Office of Admission for transfer credit and advanced placement evaluation. Please also send course descriptions for each course we’re to evaluate.

As a safeguard for engineering and science students for whom calculus credit is granted, who may feel uncomfortable with the material, you may move into a lower level course in the sequence and we’ll adjust your credit.